The Khumbu Glacier starts in Western Cwm and creates the Icefal as it drops 2,000'. It can move more than a foot a day creating deep crevases and large house-size ice towers which can fall over at anytime.

It is the primary way to get to the South Col so almost every Everest southside climber makes 4 to 6 roundtrips through the Icefall with Sherpas doubling that. A special team of Sherpas nicknamed Icefall Doctors maintain ladders that aid in climbing through the short spring season.